Trial by Fire by @josieangelini Review

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini
(Worldwalker Trilogy, #1)
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends; 384 pages
Rating:

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.

What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.

I'm torn. There were parts of this book that I absolutely loved. But then there were parts that I didn't. But let's start from the beginning. I was hopeful, as I always am (though I'm not sure why anymore) when there's a hint at a best friend turned boyfriend theme to the story. I am one of those suckers that want more friend ends up with the girl stories since they are the ones that are usually screwed. That being said, after a few pages of this book, I knew this wasn't going to end well. Tristan isn't the one girl kind of guy and I was already feeling sorry for Lily. She has enough things wrong in her life (crazy mother, a father who left and allergies like you wouldn't believe). This party, you just knew how it was going to end, you just knew it. Though, there were definitely surprises along the way.

I liked Lily, as a character. She had spunk, a fantastic personality and while she's rather fragile, she's got a very strong soul. She's the type of girl that you, while you may knock her down time and time again, she's going to get right back up and keep on trucking. I admire that about her because I don't think I could be as strong as she is. However, I do not like her alternative world Lillian at all but I do believe that is the point.

The love story to this is just . . . weird. There's no other way to put it. While I enjoyed it, I also got creeped out by it. I don't know how Lily was so comfortable with it when, if it were me, I'd be cringing and questioning. Rowan, himself, is totally swoon-worthy. He's a good guy, powerful and dammit, he can cook like the best of the chefs. I want him cooking for me. My mouth was kind of watering just reading about him in the kitchen.

I do like the Tristan in this alternative world, though. I really like him, even though he's very similar to the Tristan we met in the beginning of the story, he seems to be a bit more compassionate and loving. He's still not the one woman type of guy but I don't think he's as dickish about it. I adore the friendship these two have, while again, it's similar to the friendship her Tristan had, it's different and better, I think. I know, this kind of sounds confusing, right? It's really not, though.

I love the world she created in this alternative Salem and the dangers that await us every turn. It fascinates me and terrifies me all at the same time. The science and the witch aspects woven into this story are amazing. To view the benefits of both when you've never really paid much attention to how incredible science really can be it mind boggling. I am, by no means, a science buff. Hell, I could've cared less about that subject in school but reading about it in this book actually makes it interesting.

It got really boring for me in the middle of the book. I didn't like the alternative points of views. I understand the need for them but that's when things started dragging for me. I liked Lily's voice and I wasn't sure I cared for the rest of them. I also don't know if I liked the ending. It seemed rather rushed and jumbled. Especially a certain person's death. You knew it was coming but it was so . . . lackluster. I expected more, which sounds pretty awful, I know.

I definitely am interested enough to read more and see where this story goes in the next book but I don't think I'm as excited for it as I was for this book (which is another that has let me down). Having high expectations for a book is a dangerous thing. I definitely recommend this book if you like witchcraft, science and maybe the idea of traveling between different worlds (which sounds like fun).

Thank you so much to Macmillan for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.